Post by Bonobo on Jan 28, 2017 18:05:35 GMT 1

Blessing oats on Boxing Day has remained a tradition in many villages. In some, the tradition even requires parishioners to throw oats at the priest, although many priests prefer not to because of practical reasons (cleaning and vermin)

Post by jeanne on Jan 28, 2017 19:14:25 GMT 1

Blessing oats on Boxing Day has remained a tradition in many villages. In some, the tradition even requires parishioners to throw oats at the priest, although many priests prefer not to because of practical reasons (cleaning and vermin)

The priest is blessing and people are throwing grain

Any idea what the symbolism/point is of this custom? It looks like they are having a really fun time...but what a mess! I hope they have lots of volunteers to clean it all up!

Where I live people are not even supposed to throw rice at weddings as the couple exits the church. One reason is because "they" say it is unhealthy for the birds (??...not sure about that); then when people started using bird seed to throw instead, they were told it was too messy and it could cause people to slip and fall.

When my daughter got married three years ago, we did throw bird seed (shhh...don't tell!)on the newly-wed couple as they came out of the church, but early the next morning my husband went and swept it all up before people started arriving for Mass!

Post by Bonobo on Jan 28, 2017 20:33:50 GMT 1

Any idea what the symbolism/point is of this custom? It looks like they are having a really fun time...but what a mess! I hope they have lots of volunteers to clean it all up!

The symbolism is multiple.

First, holy communion wafer used to be made with oat flour.

Secondly, by blessing oats people expect good crops next year. The grains are carefully picked from the floor and sewn into the ground in spring. In the past, people also threw grain at home - they covered the ceiling with honey and threw grain up, hoping it would stick to the surface - a good omen for the next year.

Thirdly, Boxing Day is the day of St. Stephen who was the patron saint of horses. Hence, oats. Probably the most important reason.

Post by jeanne on Jan 28, 2017 21:55:18 GMT 1

Secondly, by blessing oats people expect good crops next year. The grains are carefully picked from the floor and sewn into the ground in spring. In the past, people also threw grain at home - they covered the ceiling with honey and threw grain up, hoping it would stick to the surface - a good omen for the next year.

Come springtime, I bet the flies really loved the honey on the ceiling!

Thirdly, Boxing Day is the day of St. Stephen who was the patron saint of horses. Hence, oats. Probably the most important reason.